Long before skincare routines introduced serums, toners and trending ingredients, beauty across the African continent was rooted in ritual, heritage and the natural world. For generations, communities have relied on plant-based remedies, mineral clays and deeply symbolic practices to care for the face and body while also connecting with culture, healing and identity.

Across South Africa and many other African countries, these traditions were passed down through families. Mothers, grandmothers and traditional healers understood the powerful relationship between the land and the body. Today, as the global beauty industry embraces “clean” ingredients and holistic wellness, many of these ancestral practices are being rediscovered and reinterpreted.

Here are some of the most fascinating African beauty rituals and ingredients that continue to inspire modern skincare today.

Ichopho (pumice stone)

Ichopho, also known as a pumice stone, was and still is used in many South African households as part of everyday skincare and bathing rituals. Formed from volcanic rock, its porous texture makes it ideal for gently exfoliating the skin. Historically, ichopho was used to remove dead skin cells and smooth rough areas such as heels and elbows.

Long before body scrubs and exfoliating tools became popular, pumice stones were already a trusted method for maintaining soft, healthy skin. Today, the pumice stone remains a staple in pedicure treatments and spa routines around the world. In many ways, this stone represents one of the earliest forms of physical exfoliation, proving that effective skincare doesn’t always require complicated formulas.

Ukugquma (steaming)

Ukugquma, also known as steaming, is a traditional cleansing ritual that involves steaming the body with medicinal herbs. In many Southern African cultural contexts, the process involves sitting or kneeling over a container of hot herbal water while the body is covered with a blanket to trap the steam. The heat encourages sweating and helps open the pores while the herbal vapours promote relaxation and cleansing. Indigenous plants are often used to support wellbeing.

Beyond its physical effects, ukugquma also carries spiritual and cultural meaning. In traditional healing practices, steaming rituals are sometimes used for purification and restoring balance. Today, spa steam rooms and facial steaming treatments mirror the same principle: warm steam can cleanse the skin, boost circulation and promote renewal. What makes ukugquma unique, however, is that it represents a deeply rooted cultural practice where skincare, wellness and spiritual care are intertwined.

@unapologetically_gifted What is Ukugquma/ Steaming? #UnapologeticallyGifted #mtanedlozi #africanspirituality #lessontime ♬ iDlozi – Kweyama Brothers & Mpura

Ibomvu (red ochre)

Ibomvu, also known as red ochre, has long held cultural significance in African beauty and adornment. Traditionally mixed with water, oils or animal fat, the earthy pigment was applied to the skin and hair to create a rich red hue. The practice is perhaps most famously associated with the women of the Himba people of northern Namibia, who use a mixture of red ochre and butterfat, known as otjize, to coat their skin and hair.

Beyond aesthetics, ibomvu offered practical benefits. The mineral mixture helped protect the skin from sun exposure while the oils helped prevent dryness. More importantly, the pigment carried deep cultural symbolism. In many communities it represented identity, status and rites of passage. Today, mineral-based beauty products, like clay masks and tinted balms, reflect a growing appreciation for earth-derived ingredients that African traditions have used for centuries.

Ibomvu (Red Ochre). Image: Unsplash

Charcoal teeth whitening

Long before charcoal toothpaste became a global beauty trend, charcoal was already used in many African communities as a natural way to clean teeth. Finely ground charcoal was applied to the teeth to help remove stains and polish the enamel. Its slightly abrasive texture made it effective for lifting surface discolouration while leaving the mouth feeling clean.

Now, activated charcoal has become a popular ingredient in modern oral care products marketed for whitening and detoxifying the mouth. What is often presented as a cutting-edge innovation is, in reality, a rediscovery of a centuries old practice.

@gumbimpume Our ancestors understood the importance of dental hygiene long before modern toothpaste! From rinsing with water after meals to using natural tools like amalahle (charcoal) and Isixubho (chew sticks), they kept their smiles bright and healthy. It’s a reminder to take care of ourselves with what nature offers. #DentalHygiene #NaturalCare #ZuluWisdom #OralHealth #AncientPractices #HealthySmiles #SelfCare ♬ original sound – MpumeSkincare|Eczema|Locs🇿🇦

Umhluzi (broth)

Umhluzi is a nourishing broth or soup often prepared with herbs, vegetables or meat, reflecting a holistic approach to wellness that recognises the connection between nourishment and healthy skin. While it is not a skincare product in the traditional sense, its role highlights a key principle: glowing skin often starts from within. Modern wellness culture has embraced similar ideas through collagen broths and nutrient-rich soups and drinks designed to support skin, hair and overall vitality.

@lindiswamgaguli Let’s make bobe broth it is my morning rituals, you drink on empty stomach. Here are some of the benefits: • Supports fat loss • Boosts metabolism • Improves gut health • Reduces bloating • Strengthens joints& ligaments • Supports muscle recovery • Helps skin tightening & glow • Rich in collagen & minerals • Helps balance blood sugar • Natural source of electrolytes #bonebroth #broth ♬ original sound – MaMvelase❤️🤭❤️‍🔥